12 Physics Programs for High School Students in New York State
If you are a high school student interested in physics, academic programs outside the classroom offer a good way to deepen your understanding of the subject. These opportunities let you go beyond the standard curriculum to explore topics such as quantum mechanics and astrophysics through experiments, simulations, and guided research. You’ll also meet professors, researchers, and students who share your interests, helping you build a network that can support your future goals in STEM.
Why should you attend a program in New York State?
New York State is home to various universities and research institutions, many of which offer programs designed for high school students. From city-based labs to campus-based research initiatives, these programs give you access to expert mentorship, college-level coursework, and collaboration with like-minded peers. If you're based in New York or able to travel there, you’ll find unique opportunities to explore the field of physics in a structured, rigorous setting.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled 12 physics programs for high school students in New York State.
If you're looking for STEM programs in New York State, check our blog here.
1. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipends may be awarded to students experiencing financial hardship
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors at least 16+ years old by the start of the program
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a seven-week, team-based research experience for high school students. You will work closely with scientific trainees from the Tri-Institutions (Rockefeller, MSK, and WCMC), learning research techniques, laboratory practices, and data analysis methods. The program relates to physics because some labs employ concepts such as high-resolution microscopy, advanced imaging, molecular biophysics, and computational modeling to examine how living systems function. With guidance from scientist-mentors, you will explore research questions, conduct experiments, and present your findings in a poster session. The program also offers opportunities to attend guest lectures, workshops, and networking events, helping you gain insight into science and research careers.
2. Veritas AI's AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies with program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students with a basic understanding of Python or completion of the AI scholars program
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here.
3. NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science & Engineering)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: No cost; $1,000 Stipend
Program dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending schools in NYC
The Applied Research in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program is a free, stipend-based opportunity for high school students who want hands-on experience in real research. You will begin with four weeks of foundational training that includes lab safety, college-level writing workshops, and research skills development. After this, you will spend six weeks working in one of more than 80 NYU research labs, assisting faculty and researchers on real-world projects. Over the course of the program, you will complete about 120 hours of laboratory work and gain practical experience that goes far beyond the typical high school curriculum. Many labs depend heavily on fundamentals of physics and engineering, such as materials, mechanics, aerospace, and mechatronics.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies with program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as physics, data science, computer science, engineering, and more.
5. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: None
Program dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a six-week internship for high school juniors who want to explore science, mathematics, or engineering in greater depth. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with faculty mentors and conduct independent research in active university labs. You will acquire essential lab skills, participate in research seminars, and join workshops and field trips that give you hands-on experiences in scientific research. The program offers authentic research opportunities in areas like physics, astronomy, and other STEM disciplines. Throughout the experience, you will develop both academic and professional skills while gaining a clearer understanding of different STEM career paths.
6. CUNY STEM Research Academy
Location: Offered at 10 CUNY campuses across four boroughs in New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $1,000 – $1,575 available, depending on the campus
Dates: Weekly classes during the Spring Semester + 6-week summer research experience; exact dates vary based on campus
Application Deadline: Varies by campus
Eligibility: New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) students in grades 10 and 11 + highly motivated grade 9 NYCPS students considered on a case-by-case basis; check individual campus pages for campus-specific prerequisites
The CUNY STEM Research Academy provides New York City public high school students with the chance to engage in hands-on research alongside CUNY faculty and earn college credits. The program spans two semesters, beginning with a spring pre-college course that covers scientific research methods, followed by a six-week summer research internship in a CUNY lab. Students are paired with faculty mentors across various CUNY campuses and work on genuine research projects in fields such as physics, biology, chemistry, environmental science, and engineering. Participants learn key lab techniques, gather and analyze data, and attend workshops and seminars that introduce STEM careers and research skills. The program concludes with a presentation of the research project at a summer exhibition hosted by the American Museum of Natural History.
7. LLE (Laboratory for Laser Energetics) – Summer High School Research Program
Location: University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend typically provided
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: To be announced in January
Eligibility: Rochester-area high school students entering 12th grade in the upcoming academic year
The LLE Summer High School Research Program is a six-week research experience for students interested in physics, engineering, and laser science. In this program, you will work with scientists and engineers at the University of Rochester’s Laser Lab and learn about lasers, optics, plasma physics, and ongoing research projects. You will gain practical experience with real lab tools, data analysis, science talks, and visits to advanced research facilities. The program also aims to develop your problem-solving skills, provide insight into large-scale experiments, and explore potential STEM careers.
8. Simons – NYU Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: No cost
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (minimum age: 16 years) must be permanent U.S. citizens or residents
The Simons‑NYU Science Explorations Program is a three-week summer program for high school students that provides a practical introduction to college-level science. Participants will attend lectures, workshops, and conduct lab research with guidance from NYU faculty and guest specialists. You will explore subjects like physics, biology, neuroscience, chemistry, and psychology while developing practical research skills. The program also includes social and cultural activities, providing a balanced mix of academic learning and community experiences.
9. NASA’s Internship Programs
Location: Virtual or on-site at one of NASA’s various centers across the country, depending on the project requirements
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend paid based on their academic level and session duration
Dates: Spring: January – May | Summer: May – August | Fall: August – December
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16 years or older with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
Through this paid internship program, you’ll explore areas such as astrophysics, Earth science, robotics, aeronautics, or data analysis, depending on the project you’re matched with. You may help gather and analyze data, support lab experiments, work with computer models, or contribute to mission-related research. You will also participate in meetings, presentations, and mentoring sessions that demonstrate how NASA teams address challenges and prepare for upcoming missions. This hands-on experience helps you develop technical skills, understand the operation of large research projects, and gain a clearer idea of what a career in space science or engineering entails.
10. University of Rochester – CMAP Research Experience
Location: University of Rochester, New York, NY
Cost: No cost
Dates: Program dates vary each year, but the internship lasts for one month
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (must be nominated by a teacher)
In this one-month program, you will work with high school students on hands-on STEM research at the University of Rochester’s Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP). You will explore high-energy-density physics and planetary science in labs like the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, while learning programming skills in Python. With guidance from graduate students and faculty mentors, you will carry out experiments, analyze data, and present your results. The program additionally offers support for college preparation and introduces you to STEM career options.
11. Stonybrook Physics Summer Camp
Location: Stony Brook University Campus
Cost: $650
Dates: July 13-17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement
The Stony Brook Physics Summer Camp is a week-long, hands-on program designed for high school students who haven't yet taken a physics course. During the camp, you'll explore topics such as Newtonian mechanics, electricity, light, and introductory concepts of quantum mechanics. You will also take part in indoor and outdoor activities, join interactive lessons, and go on guided tours of research labs and campus facilities. You will also design, build, and test simple projects while exploring real physical phenomena. The program ends with a family showcase, where you will present your projects and share what you discovered during the week.
12. NYU Tandon’s SPARC program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders through 12th grade who have done Pre-Calculus and are enrolled in AP Statistics or Calculus
The Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC) is a two-week, hands-on program that introduces you to the fundamentals of robotics, mechatronics, and programming. In this program, you will explore how sensors and microcontrollers work together, learn how to program automation systems, and build a strong foundation in coding. The program connects to physics through its hands-on focus on robotics, mechanics, and electronics, all of which rely on core physics principles like motion, forces, energy, and electromagnetism. You will also take part in fun and competitive robot challenges where you design, build, and test your own robotic creations.
Image source - NYU Tandon Logo